He Who Follows Me Shall Not Walk in Darkness, but Have the Light of Life.”

He Who Follows Me Shall Not Walk in Darkness, but Have the Light of Life.”

“That you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light . . . .” 1 Pet. 2:9. “The darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.” 1 John 2:8. “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love . . . .” Col. 1:13. Our inheritance is in the light. V. 12. “To turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God . . . .” Acts 26:18.

We are in Satan’s territory, his kingdom, when we are in darkness, for he is the prince of darkness. Christ is the Prince of light. It is of the utmost importance to believe firmly in Jesus’ promise: “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” It is completely unnecessary to walk in darkness in any way whatsoever.

It is quite normal for converted people to end up in darkness, but then it is also normal for them not to keep themselves from sin and wickedness. A person is in Satan’s territory, within the boundaries of the kingdom of darkness, when he judges and criticizes others, when he slanders and is evil. Then he cannot expect anything except to end up in darkness, because there it is really dark.

The main reason for people ending up in all this darkness is that they have a strong and stubborn self-will they want carried out. However, it certainly does not need to be that way. We can give it up for time and eternity. The old man is the source of all our darkness, and he can be crucified and put off forever through a living faith so that we avoid ending up in darkness. Then we can walk in the light as He is in the light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 1 John, Chapter 1.

“But he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” 1 John 5:18. This is the same thing as not ending up in darkness.

“But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light.” Eph. 5:13. When a person closes up, is withdrawn and will not reveal, acknowledge, and confess that which ought to be revealed, acknowledged, confessed, and put right with people, he is also in darkness. “He who covers his sins will not prosper . . . .” Prov. 28:13.

Being opinionated, stiff and proud, obstinate and stubborn, self-important and strong, self-willed and desirous for honor, malicious and suspicious, are powerful sources for ending up in darkness. A person is likely to end up in darkness when both God and people resist his self-will. Then the person will end up in all kinds of turmoil, doubt, and discouragement, with the result that he has many unnecessary “whys.”

Unbelief in the Word brings a person directly into darkness. If he had believed the Word, he would have avoided asking “why,” because everything is written plainly and clearly in the Word.

The pure in heart see God. They stand before God’s face, in His presence, where the light shines brilliantly. “For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.” Ps. 36:9. “But the path of the just is like the shining sun . . . .” Prov. 4:18.

It is wonderful that God illuminates our darkness and leads us out of it after we have ended up in darkness. However, it is even greater when we, through a complete surrender and devotion, a living faith and confidence, with willingness, humility, and purity of heart, always walk in the light so we never more end up in darkness. May it happen! Amen.